Graham Norton pays tribute to Sir Terry Wogan ahead of Eurovision: ‘I’m indebted to him’

Norton said he will raise a glass after the ninth song of the night
Paying tribute: Sir Terry Wogan
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty iMAGES
Emma Powell10 May 2016
The Weekender

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Graham Norton said he is “indebted” to Sir Terry Wogan as he paid tribute to his Eurovision predecessor.

Norton, 53, said he will be raising a glass to the late TV star who died, aged 77, earlier this year following a battle with cancer.

Speaking to OK! magazine, Norton – who took over as commentator from Wogan in 2009 – said: “I’ll be raising a glass of wine to Sir Terry on song number nine.

That was his advice to me when I took over from him – don’t open the bottle until song nine. I will be encouraging everyone to raise a glass.

“Terry elevated Eurovision into the thing it is now and it is such a great gig to get. I’m personally really indebted to him for what he did to the role.

Despite being “madly in love” with the singing competition, the TV presenter said he wants Australia removed.

“Get rid of Australia,” he said. “I really don’t understand it. They aren’t in Europe. Australia is on the other side of the world!”

Joe and Jake will be hoping to score better than last year's UK entrants Electro Velvet as they take to the stage to perform their single, You’re Not Alone.

The UK haven't won the contest since Katrina and the Waves represented in 1997.

This year will also see Justin Timberlake perform his new single. It marks the first time a non-contestant has performed and the first time the final has been aired in the US.

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Eurovision Song Contest is on BBC One on May 14 at 8pm.

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